Stephan Hicks
{{Short description|American former basketball player (born 1992)}}
{{Infobox basketball biography
| name = Stephan Hicks
| image = Stephan Hicks.jpg
| position = Small forward / shooting guard
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 4
| weight_lb = 200
| number = 17
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1992|04|02|mf=y}}
| birth_place = Los Angeles, California, U.S.
| high_school =
- Agoura (Agoura Hills, California)
- National College
(Thousand Oaks, California)
| college = Cal State Northridge (2010–2015)
| draft_year = 2015
| career_start = 2015
| career_end = 2025
| team1 = Fort Wayne Mad Ants
| years2 = 2019
| team2 = Anhui PutianXingfa
| years3 = 2019–2020
| team3 = Fort Wayne Mad Ants
| years4 = 2020–2021
| team4 = Formosa Taishin Dreamers
| years5 = 2021
| team5 = BC Samara
| years6 = 2021–2022
| team6 = Fort Wayne Mad Ants
| years7 = 2022
| team7 = Formosa Taishin Dreamers
| team8 = Indiana Mad Ants
| highlights =
- Mr. Mad Ant Award (2024)
- Russian Super League Champion (2021)
- P. League+ Finals Silver Medalist (2021)
- Second-team All-Big West (2015)
- Big West Freshman of the Year (2012)
- No. 17 retired by Indiana Mad Ants
}}
Stephan Keenan Hicks{{cite web|url=https://www.californiabirthindex.org/birth/stephen_keenan_hicks_born_1992_21461416|title=Stephen Keenan Hicks was born on April 2, 1992 in Los Angeles County, California|website=californiabirthindex.org|publisher=California Birth Index|access-date=May 28, 2020}} (born April 2, 1992) is an American retired professional basketball player. Hicks played college basketball for Cal State Northridge where he earned 2015 Second-team All-Big West and 2012 Big West Freshman of the Year. Hicks played professionally for over ten years, primarily spending eight seasons with the Fort Wayne / Indiana Mad Ants where his jersey number 17 was retired in 2025.
High school career
Hicks initially attended Agoura High School averaging 17 points, 9.8 rebounds and 2.1 steals per game as a junior. For his senior season he transferred to National College Prep tallying 18 points and six rebounds per game, gaining all-tournament accolades at the Hampton Inn Invitational.{{cite web|title=Stephan Hicks Bio|work=GoMatadors.com|url=http://gomatadors.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=213|accessdate=January 25, 2016}}
College career
Hicks attended Cal State Northridge averaging 16.0 points and 5.4 rebounds per game as a senior, earning All-Big West second team honors and finished eighth all-time in the conference in career points.{{cite web|title=Mad Ants 2015 Draft Recap (With Updates)|url=http://www.nba.com/pacers/mad-ants-2015-draft-recap|accessdate=January 25, 2016|work=NBA.com|date=October 31, 2015}}{{cite web|first=Reggie|last=Hayes|title=Mad Ants guard Stephan Hicks adjusts to hoops outside L.A.|url=http://www.news-sentinel.com/sports/Mad-Ants-guard-Stephan-Hicks-adjusts-to-hoops-outside-L-A-|accessdate=January 25, 2016|work=News-Sentinel.com|date=January 13, 2016}}
Professional career
=Fort Wayne Mad Ants (2015–2020)=
On October 31, 2015, Hicks was selected by the Oklahoma City Blue in the third round of the 2015 NBA Development League Draft and later that night traded to the Fort Wayne Mad Ants in exchange for the rights to James Carlton and a 2016 second round pick to Oklahoma City.{{cite web|title=2015 NBA D-League Draft Board|url=http://dleague.nba.com/news/2015-nba-d-league-draft-board/|accessdate=January 25, 2016|newspaper=NBA.com|date=October 31, 2015}} On November 15, during the 2015–16 season, he made his professional debut in a 112–92 win over Raptors 905, recording two points, two rebounds and a steal in four minutes.{{cite web|title=Petteway, Christmas Lead Mad Ants Over Raptors 905 as Caboclo Pours in Game-High 25|url=http://dleague.nba.com/games/20151115/RAPFWN/|accessdate=January 25, 2016|newspaper=NBA.com|date=November 15, 2015}} On October 31, 2016, Hicks was reacquired by Fort Wayne for the 2016–17 season.{{cite web|first=Vinessa|last=Needham|url=http://fortwayne.dleague.nba.com/news/mad-ants-finalize-training-camp-roster-following-2016-draft/|title=Mad Ants Finalize Training Camp Roster Following 2016 Draft|work=NBA.com|date=October 31, 2016|accessdate=December 15, 2016}}
On January 20, 2019, after four years of G League basketball, and two trips to the playoffs in 2017 and 2018, Hicks was called up to the Indiana Pacers on a 10-day contract,{{cite web|last1=Stevens|first1=Ryan|title=Indiana Pacers sign Stephan Hicks to 10-day contract|url=https://fortwayne.gleague.nba.com/news/indiana-pacers-sign-stephan-hicks-to-10-day-contract/|website=NBA G League|accessdate=January 20, 2019|date=January 20, 2019}} but did not make an appearance in a game.{{cite web|title=Stephan Hicks: Not re-signed|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/basketball/news/stephan-hicks-not-re-signed/|website=cbssports.com|accessdate=January 30, 2019|date=January 30, 2019}} On October 17, 2019, Hicks was reported to have signed with the Indiana Pacers{{cite web|first1=Chris|last1=Crouse|title=Pacers Sign Stephan Hicks|url=https://www.hoopsrumors.com/2019/10/pacers-sign-stephan-hicks.html|date=October 17, 2019|website=hoopsrumors.com|accessdate=October 17, 2019}} but was later reported to have released by the Indiana Pacers two days later.{{cite web|first1=Luke|last1=Adams|title=Pacers Release Stephan Hicks|url=https://www.hoopsrumors.com/2019/10/pacers-release-stephan-hicks.html|date=October 19, 2019|website=hoopsrumors.com|accessdate=October 19, 2019}} On October 26, 2019, Hicks was included in the training camp roster for the Fort Wayne Mad Ants.{{cite web|first=Ryan|last=Stevens|url=https://fortwayne.gleague.nba.com/news/mad-ants-draft-two-players-announce-2019-training-camp-roster|title=Mad Ants draft two players, announce 2019 training camp roster|date=October 26, 2019|website=NBA.com|accessdate=October 26, 2019}} On November 6, 2019, Hicks was included in the opening night roster of the Fort Wayne Mad Ants.{{cite web|first=Ryan|last=Stevens|url=https://fortwayne.gleague.nba.com/news/mad-ants-finalize-2019-20-opening-night-roster|title=Mad Ants Finalize 2019–20 Opening Night Roster|date=November 6, 2019|website=NBA.com|accessdate=November 6, 2019}} In the shortened 2019–20 season, Hicks averaged 14.6 points, 6.5 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game, shooting 52% from the field and 47% from behind the arc.{{cite web |last1=Schmidt |first1=Dakota |title=Let's Appreciate Some G Leaguers: Edition #2 |url=https://www.ridiculousupside.com/2020/3/19/21186921/lets-appreciate-some-g-leaguers-devin-robinson-hollins-christ-koumadje-stephan-hicks |website=Ridiculous Upside |publisher=SB Nation |accessdate=May 3, 2020 |date=March 19, 2020}}
= Formosa Taishin Dreamers (2020–2021) =
On December 12, 2020, Hicks joined Formosa Taishin Dreamers of the Taiwan Professional Basketball League as an import player for their 2020–21 season.{{cite web|first=Nicola|last=Lupo|title=Stephan Hicks signs with Taishin Dreamers|url=https://sportando.basketball/en/stephan-hicks-signs-with-taishin-dreamers/|date=December 13, 2020|website=sportando.basketball|accessdate=December 19, 2020}} He averaged 22.5 points and 12.3 rebounds during the regular season, leading his team to 2021 P. League+ Finals. Hicks averaged 31.3 points and 14.3 rebounds in the Finals however his team fell 3–1 in the series against Taipei Fubon Braves, becoming silver medalists.
= BC Samara (2021) =
On August 3, 2021, Hicks joined BC Samara of the VTB United League.{{cite press release |title=Стэфан Хикс — новичок "Самары"! |url=https://bcsamara.com/news/?id=4062 |publisher=Баскетбольный клуб «Самара» |accessdate=2021-08-10 |date=2021-08-03}} Hicks averaged 4.8 points and 4.2 rebounds off the bench as the team won the 2021 Russian Basketball Super League 1 Championship.
= Return to Fort Wayne Mad Ants (2021–2022) =
On December 13, 2021, Hicks returned to the Fort Wayne Mad Ants for a second stint.{{Cite web|title=Mad Ants add Hicks to roster|url=https://www.wane.com/sports/mad-ants/mad-ants-add-hicks-to-roster/|access-date=December 15, 2021|website=WANE 15}} Hicks was then later waived by Fort Wayne on January 8, 2022.{{cite web|url=https://gleague.nba.com/transactions/|website=gleague.nba.com|title=2021–22 NBA G League transactions|date=January 8, 2022|access-date=January 8, 2022}}
= Return to Formosa Taishin Dreamers (2022) =
On February 15, 2022, Hicks returned to Formosa Taishin Dreamers during their 2021–22 season. He averaged 19 points and 15.5 rebounds before his release on March 28, 2022.
On August 26, 2022, Hicks signed with the TaiwanBeer HeroBears of the T1 League.{{cite news|title=台啤英熊宣布首名洋將 找曾在PLG狂飆42分的希克斯|url=https://sports.ltn.com.tw/news/breakingnews/4038020|work=Liberty Times Net|date=August 26, 2022|access-date=August 26, 2022|language=Chinese}} On October 28, 2022, TaiwanBeer HeroBears terminated the contract relationship with Hicks due to injury.{{cite news|title=台啤洋將希克斯舊傷復發離隊 哈孝遠曝遞補人選：是人氣球星|url=https://sports.ettoday.net/news/2368063|work=ETtoday|date=October 28, 2022|access-date=October 28, 2022|language=Chinese}}
=Return to Indiana Mad Ants (2023–2025)=
On October 28, 2023, Hicks returned to the Indiana Mad Ants for a third stint.{{cite web|title=Mad Ants announce 2023 Training Camp Roster|url=https://fortwayne.gleague.nba.com/news/mad-ants-announce-2023-training-camp-roster|website=NBA.com|date=October 28, 2023|access-date=November 5, 2023}} On March 24, 2025, before a game against the Windy City Bulls, Hicks' jersey number of 17 was officially retired by the Mad Ants, becoming the second player in franchise history to have this honor after Ron Howard in 2017. He played for the Mad Ants organization for 8 seasons, 6 in Fort Wayne and 2 in Indianapolis.
Career statistics
{{NBA player statistics legend|leader=y}}
=Fort Wayne / Indiana Mad Ants=
==Regular season==
{{NBA player statistics start}}
|-
|align="left"| 2015–16
|align="left"| Fort Wayne
| 32 || 4 || 15.9 || .435 || .340 || .804 || 2.8 || .6 || .6 || .3 || 7.6
|-
|align="left"| 2016–17
|align="left"| Fort Wayne
| 49 || 48 || 30.5 || .469 || .333 || .807 || 5.8 || 1.2 || 1.0 || .2 || 13.6
|-
|align="left"| 2017–18
|align="left"| Fort Wayne
| 49 || 34 || 29.5 || .486 || .340 || .805 || 5.4 || 1.4 || 1.1 || .3 || 12.7
|-
|align="left"| 2018–19
|align="left"| Fort Wayne
| 48 || 46 || 32.6 || .458 || .304 || .856 || 6.9 || 1.1 || .6 || .3 || 15.4
|-
|align="left"| 2019–20
|align="left"| Fort Wayne
| 41 || 26 || 30.4 || .524 || .469 || .806 || 6.3 || 1.0 || 1.0 || .3 || 14.7
|-
|align="left"| 2021–22
|align="left"| Fort Wayne
| 2 || 0 || 16.5 || .250 || .000 || 1.000 || 3.0 || .0 || .0 || .0 || 2.0
|-
|align="left"| 2023–24
|align="left"| Indiana
| 15 || 0 || 11.5 || .434 || .296 || .833 || 2.1 || .5 || .5 || .1 || 4.7
|-
|align="left"| 2024–25
|align="left"| Indiana
| 13 || 2 || 14.1 || .553 || .476 || .583 || 3.5 || .7 || .7 || .2 || 4.8
|-class="sortbottom"
|align="center" colspan="2"| Career
| 249 || 161 || 26.7 || .477 || .352 || .815 || 5.3 || 1.0 || 0.8 || 0.3 || 12.1
{{S-end}}
==Playoffs==
{{NBA player statistics start}}
|-
|align="left"| 2017
|align="left"| Fort Wayne
| 3 || 3 || 33.3 || .464 || .429 || .833 || 4.7 || 2.0 || 2.0 || .0 || 11.3
|-
|align="left"| 2018
|align="left"| Fort Wayne
| 1 || 1 || 24.0 || .333 || .000 || .500 || 4.0 || 1.0 || 1.0 || 1.0 || 7.0
|-
|align="left"| 2024
|align="left"| Indiana
|align="center" colspan="11"| Did not play
|-
|align="left"| 2025
|align="left"| Indiana
|align="center" colspan="11"| Did not play
|-class="sortbottom"
|align="center" colspan="2"| Playoff Career
| 4 || 4 || 30.8 || .432 || .300 || .750 || 4.5 || 1.8 || 1.8 || .3 || 10.3
{{S-end}}
Personal life
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [http://gomatadors.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=213 Cal State Northridge Matadors bio]
- [http://basketball.realgm.com/player/Stephan-Hicks/Summary/22813 RealGM profile]
- [https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/stephen-hicks-1.html Sports-Reference profile]
{{Indiana Mad Ants current roster}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Hicks, Stephan}}
Category:21st-century American sportsmen
Category:Agoura High School alumni
Category:American expatriate basketball people in Russia
Category:American expatriate basketball people in Taiwan
Category:American men's basketball players
Category:Basketball players from Los Angeles
Category:Basketball players from Ventura County, California
Category:Cal State Northridge Matadors men's basketball players
Category:Formosa Dreamers players
Category:Fort Wayne Mad Ants players